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Warren Averett Expands Southeast Presence

Written on January 8, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, AL – January 8, 2013 – Regional CPA firm Warren Averett, LLC, continues to carry out its strategic growth plans in the Southeast with the recent merger of Atlanta-based Gifford, Hillegass & Ingwersen (GH&I) and Tampa-based Pender Newkirk & Company. The merger, effective January 1, 2013, helps build a stronger presence for Warren Averett in the Southeast, while offering expanded reach and resources, additional service solutions and strengthened depth of expertise to clients. Warren Averett will employ more than 725 team members and serve clients through 14 offices across Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Jim Cunningham serves as CEO of Warren Averett, LLC. Andrew Siegel and Cindy Ethridge will maintain their roles as Co-managing Members of the Atlanta division, which will operate during a transitional time as Warren Averett GH&I. Ralph Garcia will continue as Managing Member of the Tampa division, which will operate during a transitional time as Warren Averett Pender Newkirk.

“This merger strengthens Warren Averett’s presence in the Southeast by joining three successful firms together across Alabama, Florida and Georgia. We are proud to be entering the Atlanta and Tampa markets, joining with premier local firms, and together becoming an accounting force across the Southeast.” said Jim Cunningham, Warren Averett’s CEO. “Our clients are growing and expanding and so are we. The Atlanta and Tampa markets are poised for growth and opportunity which will benefit our clients and our firm.”

“Joining Warren Averett makes sense as we are all working towards a common goal: to build a firm offering premier service to our clients and a dynamic place for our professionals to work and grow.” said Cindy Ethridge, Co-managing Member for Warren Averett GH&I. “We will be in a better position to build long lasting relationships by helping our clients and our employees attain their goals.”

“This is a landmark decision and one that has been extremely well thought-out,” said Ralph Garcia, Warren Averett Pender Newkirk’s Managing Member. “The combination of our firms will enhance our ability to serve the needs of our business community and support the sustainable growth of our area well into the future.”

“The combination of our firms will expand each of our capabilities and resources and open up additional opportunities for our professionals and our clients,” said Andrew Siegel, Co-managing Member for Warren Averett GH&I. “We are each well-positioned to come together and augment each other’s strong points.”

Warren Averett Fast Facts:

725+ employees

14 offices across Alabama, Florida and Georgia, plus affiliate offices in Houston and the Cayman Islands

Client operations in 50 states and 30 countries outside the U.S.

Projected ranking among top 3 CPA firms in the Southeast

Projected ranking among top 30 CPA firms in the U.S.

To learn more about our Firm visit www.warrenaverett.com.

About Warren Averett

A year ago, three prominent firms joined forces to create the new Warren Averett, LLC, bringing it from an Alabama-based firm, to a regional player with more than 550 team members and 11 offices spanning from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of Mexico. In April 2012, Accounting Today coined Warren Averett as a regional leader and pacesetter for growth. Warren Averett offers clients depth and experience in a variety of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, construction, aerospace and defense, life sciences and technology, public sector and real estate, with services that span beyond audit and tax to include wealth management, staffing and recruiting, technology consulting, financial outsourcing and retirement plan administration and investments. Office locations include Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Cullman, Anniston, Auburn, Foley and Fairhope, Ala., Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Crestview, Fla., and an affiliate office in Houston, Texas.

About GH&I

Founded in 1980, Gifford, Hillegass & Ingwersen LLP (GH&I) is a full-service accounting, audit, business advisory, tax and financial services provider serving a broad spectrum of middle-market clients, including corporations and closely-held businesses as well as partnerships, startup companies, joint ventures, estates, trusts, nonprofit organizations and high net worth individuals. GH&I is one of the ten largest locally-based CPA firms in Atlanta, and has been rated among the “Best of the Best” nationally by INSIDE Public Accounting. Most recently, the Firm established an office in the Cayman Islands to serve its growing number of hedge fund and alternative investment fund clients.

About Pender Newkirk

Founded in 1976, Pender Newkirk & Company is a full service accounting and business consulting firm based in Tampa, Florida. With ten partners and more than 70 employees, the Firm provides an array of services including audit and assurance, tax planning and preparation, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, estate & trust, valuation, small business advisory and other consulting services to clients across a broad range of industries.